Data import from sh404SEF into 4SEF
4SEF is mostly backward-compatible with sh404SEF and will create the same SEF URLs as sh404SEF would have, under the same configuration.
When switching a website from sh404SEF to 4SEF, for instance in preparation to moving to Joomla 4+, data from sh404SEF can be imported using a simple wizard, in order to achieve the smoothest possible transition.
Importing into 4SEF from sh404SEF is supported from the latest sh404SEF version only. It may - and will usuallly - work from older versions but we cannot support that option.
4SEF feature scope
sh404SEF is an integrated extension that not only manages SEF URLs but also several SEO aspects of running a website.
4SEF only handles SEF URLs. All still-relevant SEO features present in sh404SEF have already been taken over by 4SEO, our all-in-one SEO extension, which also adds many SEO features that were not available in sh404SEF.
4SEF is not sh404SEF
The 4SEF import wizard imports configuration and data that is relevant to SEF URLs. Other data types such as custom meta-data or custom redirects can only be processed by 4SEO.
An import wizard has been added to 4SEO from version 2.0 and up that import metadata and redirects. Documentation for this 4SEO import wizard is on this page of 4SEO documentation.
Support for dedicated sh404SEF plugins
4SEF does not know how to use SEF URLs plugin that may have been written for sh404SEF in order to build SEF URLs for specific extensions. These will have to be rewritten in accordance to 4SEF new plugin format.
Community Builder and Kunena plugins
sh404SEF add built-in support for Community Builder and Kunena. Considering the low use, these plugins have not been added to 4SEF. CB and Kunena URL can be imported just like any others, but new URLs created for these 2 extensions after switching to 4SEF will use the normal Joomla SEF URLs structure.
Metadata and redirects
4SEF does not import custom metadata or redirects that were created with sh404SEF. This is not an omission, simply, 4SEF does not manage metadata or redirects.
An importer for sh404SEF metadata and redirects has been added to 4SEO since version 2.0.
shURLs
4SEF does not have any equivalent to the shURLs feature in sh404SEF and therefore no new shURLs can be created once migrating away from sh404SEF.
However, as you may have used shURLs to communicate with your audience, it's important to try and maintain these redirects. To that effect, 4SEF can execute shURLs, given some conditions.
Please read the dedicated description in 4SEF configuration documentation to learn what needs to be done.
You only need to do this if you actively used shURLs in sh404SEF. For instance, you used shURLs to be printed on your business cards, or in ads, to share pages on social networks or through emailing campaigns.
Most users should not be concerned with enabling legacy shURLs support in 4SEF.
Prerequisites
Upgrading from sh404SEF
The sh404SEF import wizard can only work if sh404SEF is installed on the site. Therefore, you need to switch to 4SEF BEFORE removing sh404SEF from your site. sh404SEF can be disabled but it has to be installed so that 4SEO can read its configuration.
What if I already uninstalled sh404SEF?
Install it back. If you already uninstalled sh404SEF, and 4SEF does not offer to import data from it, sh404SEF data and configuration is usually still there.
You can usually install back sh404SEF, without enabling it and 4SEF will again be able to detect it and import from it.
What if I already upgraded to Joomla 4+?
In that case, SEF URLs can still be imported from the database, but not sh404SEF configuration. You will have to manually configure 4SEF to match the previous sh404SEF configuration, in order for it to build the same SEF URLs.
Starting an import
All data import from sh404SEF into 4SEF is done through an import wizard. This wizard is displayed if sh404SEF is detected on the website:
- right after you install 4SEF for the first time
- at any later time, by using the
Import from sh404SEFbutton on theSEF URLspage toolbar.
